Master of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations (MSIR)

A program with an outstanding reputation for developing talent to meet the needs of employers through practical learnings on the best Human Resource Management practices

The WVU MSIR Program is one of the earliest Human Resources programs established in the United States and is among a very limited number of human resources/industrial relations full-time day programs in the country. Our graduates are excellently positioned for a wide range of management positions, and our program has an exceptional placement record that is averaging 90%. The MSIR Program is enhanced significantly by the extensive alumni network and employer base.

A curriculum driven by employer needs

WVU MSIR students graduate able to analyze and solve problems, apply leadership and interpersonal skills, and find efficient and fair ways to balance the needs of employees, employers, and society at large. The curriculum focuses on some of the most important issues in helping today's organizations solve problems: global human resource business partnering, performance management and enhancement, increasing productivity, worker participation, expanding and declining labor markets, and new methods of decision-making in the human resource field.

Students in our MSIR program enjoy a high level of student/faculty interaction as they prepare for work in a variety of functions, including:

Human Resource Management

Labor Relations

Facilitation and Consulting

Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Organizational Development

Change Management

Training and Development

Compensation and Benefits Design

Employee Plans Administration

Equal Opportunity Compliance

Human Resources Consulting

Global focus

The MSIR curriculum incorporates a strong international emphasis. All domestic MSIR students will participate in a two week study abroad experience in Europe at the end of the first year. The students visit many European companies and experience the difference of Human Resources in a global economy. In addition, students have the option to choose the Global Track focus and study abroad a whole semester at the University of Strasbourg in France. Click here for more information on the Global Track.

A richly diverse student body

Students in the WVU MSIR Program come from a wide range of backgrounds. They may have undergraduate degrees in psychology, business, sociology, history, political science, communications, engineering, and many other fields.

Active co-curricular activities to enhance learning

MSIR students can participate in a wide variety of co-curricular learning opportunities. Many are co-sponsored by the Industrial Relations Student Association (IRSA), Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) and the MSIR department. These include speakers and workshops, internships, social events, and honor banquets. Students have numerous opportunities to forge friendships, build leadership skills, and receive personal guidance from a formal alumni mentor process. Corporate sponsors of practicum events include firms such as Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Westinghouse, PPG, Eaton, Amazon.com, Marathon, Dow, Federal Mediation Conciliation Service, Mylan, Idex, and General Electric.